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A funeral service will be held at Carlisle Crematorium next Thursday – his 71st birthday – before a party in celebration of his life at the Gilded Lily, Lowther Street.

Gerald, a self-employed plumber and heating engineer, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2010 and promptly proposed to his long-time partner Jayne Lloyd, saying: “Something like this wakes you up to what’s really important.”

Gerald and Jayne were married two weeks later. They shared a home in Kingstown Road, Carlisle.

“He died yesterday, telling me he felt it was time to go to sleep and just keep sleeping,” Jayne said. “He chose his time, which was typical of him.

“Next week he will have his birthday party and a celebration of his life at the Gilded Lily, where our wedding party was held. Anybody and everybody is welcome. One condition – dress to the nines. Gerald loved to see people dressed up.”

Jayne, manager of Hoopers’ restaurant, and Gerald ran the Lemon Lounge, Long Lane, off Fisher Street, Carlisle before he concentrated on his other business.

He leaves a son Ian and daughter Deborah from a previous marriage and three grandchildren, Abbie, Ava and Paige.

The funeral timings and detailed arrangements have yet to be confirmed.